Trying to determine what’s “normal” and what could be a cause for concern can be tricky in young children, especially when it comes to language skills. Fortunately, there are certain clues you can use as a guide.
We’ve all been there at some point: struggling to handle an angry, irritable, or defiant child. However, if these behaviors occur frequently and have a persistent pattern, your child could have oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The behavioral challenges that come with ODD can make you dread social outings, family dinners, and, especially, the thought of starting kindergarten. But, before you throw up your hands in despair, contact us. We can help.
At Scottsdale Pediatric Behavioral Services, our team of pediatric behavioral specialists offers a holistic and comprehensive approach for complex disorders like ODD to help children thrive and flourish in their families and society as a whole.
Here’s how to recognize signs of ODD and how you can help your child succeed when they’re getting ready to start kindergarten.
It can be hard to separate the symptoms of ODD from the normal behavior of an emotional or strong-willed child. However, we usually see signs of this condition during a child’s preschool years, and they often significantly impact the entire family, school, and social activities.
Common signs of ODD include persistent patterns of:
These behaviors can vary from mild to severe but usually exist for at least six months.
Between 2–16% of the population could have oppositional defiant disorder. The exact cause of ODD isn’t completely understood, but it’s likely due to a combination of factors, including genetics and environmental conditions. Unfortunately, without treatment, children with ODD can struggle to make and maintain relationships, perform at school and work, and they have higher risks of substance abuse and suicide.
It’s also common for kids with ODD to experience other disorders, including:
Fortunately, by taking the right steps early on, you can help improve the negative behaviors associated with ODD, restore your child’s self-esteem, and provide the tools your child needs to build positive and healthy relationships for the rest of their life.
The first step to managing oppositional defiant disorder is receiving an accurate diagnosis. At Scottsdale Pediatric Behavioral Services, we start by performing a comprehensive behavioral assessment to determine your child’s specific strengths and weaknesses and to evaluate their unique needs.
After reaching an ODD diagnosis, we develop a personalized treatment plan to help increase their needed skills and decrease their problematic behaviors. One of the ways to accomplish this is through the scientific techniques of applied behavior analysis (ABA).
ABA therapy focuses on encouraging positive behavior patterns with rewards while also working with parents and caregivers to ensure everyone understands the appropriate responses to negative behaviors. The key to ABA is consistency, so that your child can learn and practice important skills needed in everyday society while decreasing behaviors that are interfering with their well-being and those around them.
The best way to help a child with ODD entering kindergarten is finding treatment as early as possible. If you think your child could have oppositional defiant disorder, contact our North Scottsdale, Arizona location by calling 480-410-4040 or by booking an appointment online today.
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